Drinking alcohol is a cultural norm in many societies, and there is also some evidence that drink in moderation may have a cardio protective quality. However, excessive drinking can seriously damage your health and is known to have many detrimental effects, including:

• Hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver
• Stomach problems, like gastritis, ulcers and pancreatitis
• Mental health problems, like depression and anxiety, increased risk of suicide
• Increased risk of mouth, throat, stomach and bowel cancer
• Stroke, memory problems, nerve and muscle diseases
• In pregnancy, it can also damage the unborn baby

In addition, there are considerable risks to personal life, family and the ability to work:

• Higher risk of violence and divorce
• Accidents in the home and on the roads
• In younger people, unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases
• Loss of job and income
  

Some Facts and Figures

• 33,000 people die of alcohol-related illness each year in the UK
• In Great Britain, just under a third of men (31%), and a fifth of women (20%) drink more than the recommended weekly limits
• 6% of road accidents and 17% of deaths on the road can be attributed to alcohol
• Binge drinking is associated with increasing rates of violence in young people, and an increase in unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (with some of the highest rates in Europe)

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How Much is Too Much?

Alcohol drinking is measured in units. One unit of alcohol contains about 10ml or 8g of alcohol and is roughly equivalent to:

• 1 bottle of ordinary strength beer: abv 4-5%
• 1 small glass of wine: 100ml abv 12%
• 1 small glass of vodka: 25ml abv 40%

Note that both the volume and strength of the drink has to be taken into account, and this varies considerably. You cannot simply count each drink as one unit of alcohol.

Use the unit calculator below to work out your alcohol intake:

Unit Calculator
	Wine (abv)	125ml	175ml
	12%	1.5 units	2.1 units
	14%	1.75 units	2.45 units
	Beer (abv)	Half-pint	330ml (can)	Pint
	4%	1.1 units		2.2 units
	5%	1.4 units	1.7 units	2.8 units
	Spirits	25ml (single)	50ml (double)
	40%	1 unit	2 units

Other unit calculators are available on the NHS Choices website and Drinkaware. Alternatively, you can visit your GP or practice nurse for help.

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Guidelines for Safe Drinking

The recommended safe limits for drinking are:

Binge drinking (or heavy drinking) is defined as more than 7-8 units in one day for an adult man, or 5-6 units for an adult woman.

We recommend:

• No alcohol for 48 hours after a heavy drinking session
• Avoid alcohol completely if you're pregnant or trying to conceive. But if you do drink, drink no more than 1-2 units once or twice a week
• Be aware when you are at increased risk, for example, when exercising, operating machinery, driving or when on certain medication

These government guidelines do not apply to young people. For those with conditions which may be affected by alcohol, like blood pressure, epilepsy and people on certain medications, ask your doctor for advice.

It is not just about the total units of alcohol consumed in a week. The pattern of drinking is also important. This questionnaire, Audit C, is commonly used in the assessment of an individuals risk of harm. A score of 5 or more indicates hazardous or harmful drinking.

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Getting Help

If you are concerned about your own drinking, or the drinking of a relative, friend, or colleague, get professional advice from your GP or practice nurse.

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Useful Contacts

• Drinkline is a national telephone helpline. If you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, call 0800 917 8282
• Drinkaware provides online advice and guidance for young adults
• Alcoholics Anonymous is a free, self-help group giving help and advice about abstaining from alcohol. The AA national helpline is 0845 769 7555
• Al Anon is the AA support group for friends or those affected by a problem drinker

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